New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-20
W0oL IND TREASURY RULINGS.

WOOL AND TREASURY RULINGS
Secretary Fairchild has pcrplexed some
of his ardent political supporters by appar-
emily inexplicable discOurtesy to those en-
gagged in an important industry. Some time
ago a carefully prepared paper asking his
reconsideration of rulings in regard to wool
tops and worsted coatings and suitings was
submitted to the Secretary by President
Whitman, of the National Association OF
Woolen Manufacturers. 1t contained cour-
tcous and very able argument OF the legal
questions involved, with letters signed by q
great number of manufacturers and WOOL
growers including representatives OF several
important organizations. 1t was supposed
and indeed reported from Washington, that
tho Treasury would reopen the question, but
to the surprise of many no attention has yet
been paid to the memorial, which expressly
urged the Secretary, if he could not change
his rulings, at least to render definite de-
csion on which adjudication could be sought
in the courts. Even on the lowest consid-
erations of political expediency, it might be
supposed that the Secretary would hardly re-
fuse prompt attention to a document so
wcighty in argument and in signatures, and on
sub Jet of such vital importance to a vast
number of farmers and manufacturers at this
season Of the year.
The wool growers and manufacturers have
good reason for feeling strongly on this matt n.
That it is not a question between free trade
and protection that is involved will be under
stood from two sentences of the strong letter
of Mr. Edward Atkinson, tho free-tradc
economist who heartily indorscs the argu-
ment OF Mr.. Whitman, saying" am very
glad to aid you, if can. in promoting an adj
iustmcnt of the duties which should be col
lcctcd according to the manifest intent oil the
trainers Of the law, and as / believe adjusting
the duties TO be collected in the only manner
consistent with the true purport OF the law
if strictly construed / do not believe in
making reduction OF the customs revenue
10y any indirection, or by any misintcrprcta-
ton of the intentions Of the trainers Of tho
act That is the issue, whether the law as
it stands has been wrongly interpreted, greatly
TO the harm of American industry, and the
argument on that point is so clear and ca
baustvc that it might be imagined that the
Secretary, though unable TO find colorado
pretext on which TO sustain his ruling, Is un-
willing to admit its error. But that would
istrative officer.
The argument shows that wool tops arc
produced from wool by processes OF man.
ufacturo in which a great number of estab-
lishments are engaged with costly machinery,
and that the actual shrinkage from the wool
in the bale TO the wool in the top is 62 IL
per cent. while the shrinkage between the
wool in the top and the yarn is only IL
per cent. Yet the Secretary rules that the
tops are dutabe as secured wool, and not
as manufactured. This position is met by
citations of many decisions Of United States
courts, through which runs the controlling
principle that an article comes fairly within
the term /" manufacturer used in the tariff,
not merely when finally fitted for use but
when it has gone through one or more of
succession of processes necessary TO bring II
from its raw state to one adapted for final use
The fact that worsted suitings and coat
ings are not recognized as part Of worsted,
but Of woollcn manufacture. is established
by citation of many official and historical
documents, including the official reports OF
the Judges of wool at tho Centennial Ex-
position and the Paris Exposition. The
legal argument quotes with effect great
number of decisions bearing upon the proper
construction Of the law. Practically, the
question is whether the plain intent OF laws
passed by Congress for the benefit OF indus
tries in this country shall be defeated by a
Secretary because he does not agree with the
purport of those laws. AS MIR. Atkinson
urges, the laws ought to be honestly and
faithfully construed, whether the Secretary
thinks them good or bad. That is the only
upright course and the only course by which
the workings of the existing law can bc
fairly tested, so that the people may decide
whether they want it or not.